I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year! I wish our world will be more peaceful and that pollution will be reduced. I wish injustices will decline and that predjudices will lessen. Big words? - Sure is! But it doesn't cost anything to wish as we're now approaching a new year.

During Christmas we've enjoyed relaxation and good food, together with our near and dear ones. The Jewel Orchid opened its tiny, white flowers just in time for Christmas. I think it's very decorative, with its striped foliage.

We've also enjoyed the sweet-scented passionflower Caerulea, which is trailing along the walls of our glassed veranda - even though the yellow fruits aren't edible. I bought it as a potted house plant last summer and the vines are now around 6-7 meters.

21 december 2008

This Hibiscus, that accidentally 'came home with me' from sunny California last Autumn, is blooming again in our glass veranda. It amazes me that it can find the energy to bloom, when days are so short and grey.

We haven't got any snow yet, on the west coast of Sweden, and hardly any blooming plants in the garden. But a few rosebuds are stubbornly struggling to survive in the cool wind and a Mahonia shrub has surprisingly enough started to bloom again. Maybe believing that Spring is on its way?

Today I celebrate Blooming Friday, with a little premonition of Spring. The pretty faces of streptocarpus Rebecca and Charlotte give me the impression of Pansies, and remind me that Spring will arrive in about three months. Isn't that great?

Until then we'll try and make it cosy indoors with candlelights and Christmas decorations. Yesterday, I collected a small Juniper bush from the wild part of our garden, and decorated it with red glass balls. It made me long for Christmas Eve.

Once again I read in the papers that several animal species are in danger of extinction. Isn't it sad that each year animals and plants disappear from our planet, never to return? -You wont forget to feed the birds this winter, will you?

Time passes so quickly towards Christmas - it's already time again for Blooming Friday! There aren't many blooms in the garden right now, but yesterday morning I spotted a lone Geranium, bravely fighting for survival:

But all the more blooming plants in our conservatory. Pelargoniums in particular, refusing to give in. During the summer of 2004, I did many crossings with pelargoniums. I find it very fascinating to cross two different flowers and then wait for the result. This hybrid is named 'Elinor' for my daughter. It's very floriferous and continues to bloom willingly, despite the short days and faint daylight.

If you would like to participate in Blooming Friday, please click on 'Mister Linky' below and then write the adress to your blooming post. That way, other bloggers can easily find your post. And please don't forget to visit the other participants for more blooming glory!

We must be in the middle of a rain period on the west coast of Sweden right now. Overcast, wet and dreary weather, every single day. But I shouldn't complain really; all in all we've had a great autumn. September and October brought sunny skies with plenty of nice, red shades in the garden.Vildvinet var rödast av de alla. Det riktigt lös och sprakade om den:

The Woodbine was the reddest of them all. It seemed to glow and sparkle:

Today I'm especially enjoying blooming Hibiscuses. I keep them in pots in our conservatory, where the temperature stays around 17 degrees Celsius during winter. Every day it's so exciting to go out there and discover new blooms. There aren't very many, this time of year, but some flowers manage to produce flowers despite the faint light. The shade of the double Hibiscus Anneli is deliciously apricot pink with a dark, red eye. I've used Anneli for the logotype of Blooming Friday.

It's the small, everyday things that make me happy. My family, my friends, my dogs, my work among great youngsters and our magnificient nature. As I've grown older, I've come to realize that life goes on here and now. Nothing should be taken for granted. I've taken away things which steal my energy and instead, I'm trying to engage in people and phenomena that give me energy.

I bought my fig tree this spring. By July one fruit had started to develop and I was looking forward to eating a delicious fig. But some small animal or insect was faster than me. But anyway, I could enjoy the fig...as eye-candy!

The last survivor of the gardening year 2008, is...of course...a rose!The shrub rose Elmshorn (Kordes, 1951) is, after only a couple of years, almost man-high and very floriferous - and hardy. After several days with temperatures around 5-6 minus (Celsius) it's still full of flowers!

Welcome to Blooming Friday! If your would like to participate, simply write your post and leave your link with Mr Linky below so that we can find your post. Please feel free to copy the logotype above. And please don't forget to enjoy other bloggers' Blooming Fridays!

Today's bloom is Viola hederacea. This little violet from Australia is sweet as candy! Unfortunately it's not hardy here in Sweden, but I keep them in our conservatory during winter and they are perfectly happy there. I use them as undergrowth in my two pots with Camellias and they are willingly spreading into green, soft carpets.